For independent travelers to Malaysia, transportation is the most troublesome aspect of daily life—food, clothing, shelter, and transport—because public transport options are limited and information is inconsistent, making it really difficult to plan your entire itinerary in advance. But eating? That’s easy. One quarter of Malaysians are ethnic Chinese, and in some cities, the Chinese population even exceeds two-thirds of the locals. So if you see a restaurant with Chinese signs, just walk right in—it’s bound to be good. And if the boss claims to be from Taiwan, they’ll be especially friendly.
Where else in Taipei can you find traces of fireflies? Besides being in the midst of the calla lily season, Zhuzihhu in Yangmingshan also offers the beautiful sight of tiny green lights dancing through the mountain forests. On the 9th, the Taipei City Bureau of Urban Development specially organized a “Free Firefly-Watching Tour in Zhuzihhu” to help the public learn more about the diverse streamside ecosystems while promoting the concept of ecological conservation.
Run by the Hua family, this noodle shop aims to bring guests a sense of “home.” This place has made their family closer and more complete. With shared goals and the power to unite as a family, even though the journey has been tough, having loved ones by their side gives them the motivation to keep going.
Who says you can only eat sushi and sashimi in Tsukiji? I think that should’ve been the headline. But based on my two trips to Tsukiji this year, this pork cutlet sandwich was actually my biggest highlight. So I’m using it as the first review of Tsukiji—but maybe that’s just the unexpected comparison talking? (tilts head)
Matsu has entered the enchanting Blue Tears season, attracting many travelers to visit the islands in pursuit of the phenomenon. However, it has been reported that some tourists are throwing rocks at the Blue Tears to create splashes and generate the glowing effect. In response, the Matsu County Government issued an appeal on the 3rd, urging visitors: "Please do not throw rocks, as it is dangerous and damaging."
Maneki-neko, or the "beckoning cat," is a familiar sight to many. Often placed on counters in shops, its raised paw symbolizes bringing good luck and fortune into the store. Loved by business owners, it's popular not only in Japan but across Asia, transcending religion and national borders. But its true home lies at Gotokuji Temple in Setagaya, Tokyo.
Looking for delicious food in Tamsui for a group meal? Pingzi recommends Tamsui’s Big Footprint Multi-Cuisine Restaurant. In addition to classic Taiwanese-style Chinese stir-fries, the menu also features a variety of homestyle dishes such as Thai-Burmese cuisine, offering hearty and satisfying meals at affordable prices. If you’re visiting Tamsui and don’t know what to eat, come here—you won’t be disappointed by the Big Footprint Multi-Cuisine Restaurant.
Seven young men who returned home to pursue their dreams transformed a century-old building (No. 107) into “Futian French Pastry,” creating a dessert craze in Chiayi. Their warm and delicate shop has won the hearts of many. Two years after opening, the team continues to chase their dreams by launching another ice cream cake roll shop in downtown Chiayi. Using local Taiwanese ingredients, they also offer delivery services. The texture is rich and satisfying — definitely worth a try.
Want to try restaurants recommended by the Michelin Guide but have no time to travel abroad? Technically speaking, there are no Michelin-starred restaurants in Taiwan,
The Shangri-La’s Far Eastern International Hotel Taipei has completed a two-year renovation project, which was officially finished in April to mark its 20th anniversary. To celebrate this significant milestone, the Far East Hotel will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the "Longest Swiss Roll" at 10:00 AM on May 7 in the fountain atrium plaza of the Far Eastern Plaza. The goal is to create a 220-meter-long raspberry taro pineapple swiss roll on-site.
Yayoi Kusama’s Asia Tour Exhibition made its Taiwan debut in Kaohsiung and will move to the Taichung National Museum of Fine Arts on June 6. But what about Taipei? Due to venue issues, there was no Taipei stop for the tour, leaving many fans disappointed. To make up for it, the organizers worked with the Yayoi Kusama Studio and obtained official authorization to set up Taiwan’s only limited-time Yayoi Kusama Café & Cultural Creative Space at Huashan 1914 Creative Park. The space is covered in red and white dots, making you feel as if you’ve stepped into Yayoi Kusama’s dotted world.
Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) and Seibu Railway have recently forged a sisterhood relationship. After close discussions, they jointly launched the “Taiwan Railways x Seibu Railway Sister Railway Agreement Commemorative Ticket.” It is scheduled to be first released on June 7th at the “Seibu 'Train Festa 2015 in Musashi-Sakai Rolling Stock Maintenance Plant” event in Japan. On the Taiwan side, the tickets will be sold at designated stations on June 9th in conjunction with the Railway Day celebration events, marking the first-ever joint issuance of a commemorative ticket set between Taiwan and Japan.
I’d heard about a unique local dish in Kinmen called “Egg Dog” or “Egg Fragrance,” but at first, I was completely baffled—what on earth were they selling? Then, during one of my trips to Kinmen, I asked a local friend to guide me, and after some searching, I finally found the legendary spot that serves these treats: Hop Chuen Budget Center. The place is located right next to Qiu Lianggong’s Tomb in Xiao Jing Village...
The "2015 Japan Top 100 Ryokan" selected by experts was recently announced, with Kagaya retaining the top spot. Hakuginnotaki Yuukei and Kachou to Inatori Ginzansou came in second and third respectively. Among the list’s highlights is the Taiwan-operated "Zuo Yu Zhuang" (Sitting Fish Manor), the only ryokan among the top 100 not funded by Japanese investors.
Yesterday (3rd), ETtoday EBC News reported “Don’t throw them anymore! Want to see fluorescent water splashes? Tourists actually hit the blue tears with rocks,” sparking heated online discussion. A reporter called Cao Xiangguan, the head of the Finance Section at Nangan Township Office, who was the original poster calling for awareness. He stated that throwing stones at the blue tears not only affects the coastal ecology but is also quite dangerous, and he hopes visitors will appreciate the blue tears in a “natural way.”
A Totoro bus stop sign will appear at Taipei Main Station — will the bus actually come in? Recently, an exciting promotional display has popped up around Taipei Main Station. The iconic Totoro bus stop sign from the famous Studio Ghibli film has appeared at the Wutie Akihabara Plaza. With a backdrop of greenery and the sign for “Inari-mae,” it’s as if you’ve stepped right into the movie world — it's quite fun indeed!
For pet owners, taking their furry friends out isn’t always easy—going for a walk is fine, but when it comes to dining or grabbing a coffee, humans are usually fine, while pets often get turned away. It’s not that restaurants are unfriendly to pets, but they have to consider other guests and can’t force everyone to love them. Fortunately, the trend of renovating old houses into cafés has been booming over the past couple of years...
With the implementation of policies such as “visa-on-arrival” and “inter-island transit groups not subject to Taiwan’s daily quota limits,” the number of travelers via Kinmen’s Mini-Three-Links has continued to rise. The Kinmen County Government announced that visitor numbers exceeded 150,000 in April, bringing the cumulative total to 540,000, marking a 20% increase compared to the same period last year. The Kinmen County Tourism Department stated that mainland Chinese tourists, accounting for 36% of the total, are the main driver of this growth.
A well-known travel website, Travel&Leisure, released its list of “The Most Popular Famous Castles of 2014.” Each location on the list has a remarkable history. Though visitors often complain about long queues, there’s no doubt that people are willing to endure the wait for sites that are steeped in history and rich in symbolism. Which of these places have you visited? Were they what you expected?
With summer just around the corner, the popular Korean ice cream brand Natuur POP, which has previously worked with top K-pop groups like INFINITE and GOT7, is launching a “Happy Doraemon” flavor starting in May—letting you savor the taste of Doraemon one bite at a time.